Lemonpeel Angelfish(Centropyge flavissima)

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Centropygeflavissima
belong to the familyPomacanthidae.
This
fish is indigenous to the Indo-Pacific with
populations existing all the way to Easter Island. Their
presence has recently been reported around the reef system nearHe'eia
Pier in KaneoheBay in Oahu,Hawaii although
they are not endemic to those waters. Their presence is thought to be
from an
aquarium trade related release into virgin territory. This species most
frequently inhabits shallow lagoons and exposed seaward reefs in lower
surge
zones at depths of up to 180 feet.

These
dwarf angles are real eye catchers in a saltwater aquarium. Their
bodies are
solid
chrome yellow as opposed to the intricate patterning found on many
angel
species. This vibrant coloring is accented
by a circle of neon blue around their eyes, and along the outer edge of
their
gill covers and fins. Juvenile lemonpeels have a large black ocellus
(false eyes)
rimmed in blue on the sides of their body. These eyespots will fade
into oblivion
as the fish matures.

This is one of the larger
dwarf angles. It will grow
to an adult length of almost 6 inches. Don’t let their size
fool you. These
aretenacious
little rascals
and among the
most
aggressive of all the dwarf angel varieties.
Do not attempt keep this
angle
with other angel species. A prolonged territorial dispute is almost
evitable.
This turf war will generally continue until only the victory remains
alive to
claim dominion over its territory. Same species feuds are a different
story all
together. These are harem fish. A single male can be kept with a single
or even
a small group of females without anything more exciting than an
occasional
domestic quarrel. Do not attempt to house two males together. These
will make
fine additions to a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) aquarium as long
as they
are surrounded by semi-aggressive species of similar size. The
introduction of
a dwarf angel to a marine reef tank always comes with a note of
caution. In
this case it is not worth the gamble. This species has a renowned
propensity
for large-polped stony corals and trinanid clam mantles. Despite its
rowdy
demeanor, lemonpeels are one of the least hardy of dwarf angel species.
They
are rated at a moderate care level. A large assortment of live rock
profuse
with micro-algae growth will help to insure their chances of long-term
survival. Under premium conditions this fish may reach up to 12 years
of age in
captivity.

If
you intend to keep a group of lemon peels in an
aquarium together, you will want to purchase them as young juveniles.
Like most
angels, these areprotogynous synchronous
hermaphrodites. They are
born genderless. In the primary stages
of their life cycles every fish will develop into a female. The male
gene is
present in each female. Every female has the ability to transform into
a male.
This morphological transition is determined by the lack of a male of
the
species in a given population. Hormonal changes will be triggered in
the
largest, most dominant member of the female populace. The end result is
a
single male whose charge it is to prorogate the species. In the event
of this
seed carrier’s demise, the second most dominant female
becomes its successor.
This change in gender is permanent. Males do not have the ability to
morph back
into females.

Dwarf
angels are omnivorous. A juvenile’s diet consists primarily
of plankton. Adults
derive their sustenance from a combination of small crustaceans,
mollusks and
worms interfused with copious amounts of algae. A high quality food
product
formulated for marine angelfish should be further supplemented with
fresh
chopped seafood and dried or frozen algae products.

This
species rarely breeds in captivity. In their
natural environment they have the ability to cross over inter-speciesboundaries
and mate with other dwarf
angelfish including; half-black
angels
(Centropyge vroliki) andEibli Angelfish
(Centropyge
eibli). The resulting hybrids are exceedingly rare and
considered a
prized
trophy among serious saltwater aficionados.